Assessment of risk factors for stress fractures and future osteoporosis in female collegiate cross country runners

by Verdegan, Laura.

The purpose of this study was to investigate female cross country runners' risk factors for stress fractures and future osteoporosis. Subjects for this study consisted of 16 female collegiate cross country runners (M = 19.9 years, SD = 1.54) at a Division III university. A nutrition assessment consisting of a 3-day food record and measurements of height, weight, and heel bone density using a Sahara Clinical Bone Sonometer was conducted on each athlete. Each athlete was also asked several questions relating to factors that affect bone health including her ethnicity, menstrual history, and use ofmedications including supplements and birth control. This study found that essentially all of the female cross country runners in this study are from a high risk gender and ethnic group. This study revealed that 43.25% of the cross country runners had risk factors for osteoporosis based on their weight and dietary calcium intake. Twenty-five percent of the cross country runners experienced menstrual dysfunction in the past year which is a risk factor for stress fractures and osteoporosis. This study also revealed that all iii of thc cross country runners in this study had a normal heel bone mineral density T-score and that 81.25% ofthc cross country runners took a multivitamin and mineral supplement at least some of the time which may help a number of the cross country runners meet the recommended calcium intake and help protect against osteoporosis. In conclusion, it appears that nutrition education in regards to bene health would be beneficial for this population because early detection of risk factors can lead to early treatment which may aid in improving cross country runners' performances and health. iv The Graduate School University of Wisconsin Stout Menomonie, WI